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Who wouldn’t want a beautiful backdrop adorned with an abundance of flowers framing their head table on their wedding day? Um, I know I would! Unfortunately the average wedding budget just can’t accommodate such extravagant setups. That is unless you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get crafty! If you’re game than you’ll want to bookmark this post because we’ve got a much more cost effective way to get the look without compromising an ounce of pretty. The secret? Trade in real blooms for everlasting paper versions. Take a few oversized paper peonies, blend with some gorgeously detailed paper dahlias and dainty paper apple blooms, and voila, you’ve got yourself a beautiful backdrop on a budget. Here’s the step by step on how to create these lovelies for your event.

The Supplies

paper peony, paper dahlia and paper apple blossom. The total number of flowers will depend on how small or large you’d like your backdrop to be. Ours took two peonies, three dahlias and three apple blossoms. For a more full backdrop, increase your count and display the blooms closer together.

skewer and rounded pencil for curling petals

glue gun

Paper Flower #1: The Apple Blossom

The Step by Step

Step 1: take one of the flower’s layers, any one will do as you’ll repeat this step for them all, and begin by creating your petal details. Crease each petal in half, about 3/4 of the way down, toward the center point.

Step 2: once all petals have been creased, with creases facing up, collapse the flower’s center point such that it creates a dip and your flower is no longer flat.

Step 3: bring the petal with the jetting out flap together with the petal beside it and glue them together such that the flap is now covered.

Repeat Steps 1-3 for All of the Flower’s Layers.

Step 4: begin gluing together your layers from largest to smallest. Alternate the positioning of each layer, rotating as you go, such that they do not overlap and each layer remains visible.

Paper Flower #2: The Dahlia

The Step by Step

Step 1 (image 1 & 2): begin by creating your petal details. For the prettiest bloom, tightest in the middle, we recommend using a thin skewer to curl the petals on the first two smallest layers. Curl in the sides of each petal, working towards the middle.

Step 2 (image 3 & 4): for the balance of the layers we recommend using a pencil for curling, again curling in the sides of each petal, working towards the middle.

Complete All Layers Before Moving onto the Next Step.

Step 3: for each curled layer, overlap the petals onto one another.

Step 4: in the palm of your hand or using your fingers, twist the overlapped petals such that a tight cone shape is created. Repeat step on all layers and line them up from smallest to largest.

Step 5: begin building your dahlia by starting with your largest layer. Unravel the cone and flatten out the layer, leaving just the sides of the petals curled. Continue onto the next layer and begin gluing your layers together. As you work your way up from layer to layer flatten each one out less, leaving the first two (the smallest two) in tact. As you glue alternate the positioning of each layer, rotating as you go, such that they do not overlap and each layer remains visible.

Paper Flower #3: The Peony

The Step by Step

Step 1: select your largest or smallest layer and begin creating your petal details using a pencil to curl the edges. Curl each individual petal on the sides, inward. Repeat this step for all the flower’s layers, curling your top,smallest layers more than the larger bottom ones.

Step 2: glue your layers together from the bottom up, largest layer to smallest. Alternate the positioning of each layer, rotating as you go, such that they do not overlap and each layer remains visible.

If you haven’t noticed, we’re big fans of DIY around here. We love the personal touch a bit of it brings to a wedding. We especially appreciate those tactics that are easy “to dos”. So today we’re sharing one of our top DIY tricks, the simple {and it’s really simple} addition of satin ribbon. Whether you’re looking to add a touch of color, a bit of personality, or a pop of pretty, just add ribbon!

With next to no restrictions on what you can apply it to, and with massive theme versatility, the use of satin ribbon is really the ultimate ‘no-brainer’. But just in case you need some visual convincing, here are some of our favorite simple uses that went a long way to up the pretty ante.

This past Monday I shared with you all a few secrets to getting gorgeous and budget friendly floral wedding arrangements. The key component was a lovely bottle vase concept which I’m currently obsessing over ever so slightly! Today I’m going to show you how to take the look to the next level, personalizing it as your very own. Truth be told, there are endless ways to customize the look to meet your specific wedding design. And after much back and forth self-debating I finally narrowed it down to my top three style approaches, complete with some pretty petal suggestions.

This approach is all about layering. Using whatever ribbon, fabric, twine or string you like to attach a decorative detail like a charm is the perfect way to both personalize the look and coordinate it with your overall wedding theme and design. And the details just scream pretty!

There’s no real science to this approach. It’s as simple as playing around with various shapes, sizes and colors to bring dimension to your arrangements. The beauty behind it is that it allows you to represent all the design elements and colors within your wedding design. So go nuts and get creative!

What better way to personalize the look then by actually personalizing the look! Whether it’s through a motif, monogram, or a custom sticker, incorporating subtly personalized pieces within your wedding decor really makes the look yours. And don’t be shy about incorporating you. It’s your big day after all!

So that’s a wrap on on my top three. And whether you run with one of these approaches or something completely different, all that matters is that you apply your personal stamp. Happy styling!

I’m a happy girl today. Not only is it DIY Wednesday but I get to play around with some pretty gold glitter! With Art Deco themed weddings still all the rage, when asked to think of an idea for today’s post I instantly jumped at the chance to share my fave DIY from our very own Deco themed inspiration shoot. And the best part, it’s ‘3 step simple’. So get ready to get your glitter on girls!

Can you believe it’s that simple? Makes you want to make tons of them doesn’t it! And that’s a good thing because they do look best in groups. For an added touch of interest, alternate the ends of the luminaries you’re spraying. You’ll get a lovely effect from the various heights of candlelight.

Looking for More DIY Glitter Ideas?

Check out the full Art Deco inspiration shoot in the current issue of Weddingstar magazine, available for purchase online and on all major newsstands, and shop the entire look at weddingstar.com.